Protesters Arrested at NYC Apple Store on Black Friday Amid Global Tech Industry Scrutiny
On Black Friday, November 28, 2025, the iconic Fifth Avenue Apple Store in Manhattan became the focal point of a significant protest. Approximately 70 demonstrators gathered outside the store, voicing concerns over various issues linked to the tech giant. The protest culminated in the arrest of four individuals who were obstructing the store’s entrance.
Protest Details
The demonstrators carried signs bearing slogans such as Think before you buy and Israel is killing children. Their grievances encompassed a range of issues, including:
– Cobalt Mining Practices: Protesters alleged that Apple benefits from exploitative cobalt mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cobalt is a critical component in the production of lithium-ion batteries used in many of Apple’s products. Concerns have been raised about the mining conditions, which reportedly involve child labor and hazardous working environments.
– Corporate Ties to ICE and Political Figures: The group criticized Apple’s perceived associations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and former President Donald Trump. They argued that such ties contradict the company’s publicly stated values on human rights and privacy.
Historical Context
This incident is not isolated. The Fifth Avenue Apple Store has previously been the site of various protests:
– Environmental Demonstration (July 2025): Members of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion targeted the store, spray-painting slogans like Boycott and Tim + Trump = Toxic on its glass facade. The protest aimed to highlight what they described as Big Tech’s climate hypocrisy, accusing Apple of supporting environmental agreements while collaborating with administrations perceived as undermining environmental regulations.
– Die-In Protest (December 2014): Demonstrators conducted a die-in inside the store to protest the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, both African American men who died during encounters with police. Participants lay on the ground to symbolize the victims, bringing the store’s operations to a halt.
Global Perspective
The tech industry has faced increasing scrutiny worldwide:
– Labor Practices: In May 2024, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board ruled that Apple illegally interrogated employees at its World Trade Center store in New York City regarding union activities. The company was also found to have restricted the distribution of union-related materials within the workplace.
– Security Concerns: In June 2025, the Apple Tower Theatre store in Los Angeles was looted during protests over immigration raids. Rioters broke into the store, stealing various Apple products and vandalizing the premises with slogans like No ICE.
Conclusion
The Black Friday protest at the Fifth Avenue Apple Store underscores the growing public demand for corporate accountability within the tech industry. As companies like Apple continue to expand their global influence, they face mounting pressure to address ethical concerns related to labor practices, environmental impact, and political affiliations. This incident serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between major corporations and the societies in which they operate.
